MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTION AND EXTRACTIONThe background of processing / extracting Cannabis Sativa L. oils and the use of adopted Codes in the Marijuana Industry.

BOTH HEMP & MARIJUANA ARE PART OF THE CANNABIS SPECIES

INITIAL PROCESSING

Upstream Process:Harvesting

Cannabis Sativa L.DryingStorageAnalysis

EXTRACTION PROCESS

Biomass Cooling Conveying

Milling/Grinding

Extraction – pathway 1 Degumming & Winterization

Filtration

Miscella Desolventization

Extraction – pathway 2 Biomass Desolventization

Biomass Waste & Analysis

Azeotropic Solvent Distillation

Clean Solvent

These Pathways produce the crude cannabis oils

POST PROCESSING

DistillateDistillation

Decarboxylation and Analysis Crystallization

Sonification

Water Soluble Cannabinoids and Analysis

Isolate and Analysis

EXTRACTION METHODS

Dry-sieved then pressed hashishWater extracted, dried, pressed hashishRosin, heat and pressure applied, squeezing out

the resin Liquid nitrogen extractionCO2 extractionEthanol alcohol extractionDistillation, wiped film, thin film or short pathHydrocarbon extraction

Butane, Isobutane, Propane, Propylene, Hexane

Cannabis SFE $49,500 Super C $4,000

Ai SolventVap$19,470Rotary Evaporator

Solvent Extractor $20,000

CO2

Hexane

CO2

Eberbach ES703 Ice Water $10,000

CO2 EXTRACTION

In CO2 extraction, carbon dioxide is pressurized in metal tanks until it becomes a supercritical fluid, then the fluid pulls out the desirable compounds from flower. The fluid is then separated, leaving only concentrates including hash oil, shatter and budder.

Hash Oil Shatter Budder Wax

BOSS (CO2) $250,000

Hi-Flo FX2 (CO2) $175,000

Apeks Supercritical CO2 System $445,000

Ethanol extraction is conducted by soaking raw cannabis in ethanol to pull trichomes into the solvent.

The cannabis is then removed; the liquid is filtered and the alcohol purged from the extracted material.

ETHANOL EXTRACTION

Trichomes are the little hair like structures

Winterization is essentially an extraction process that purifies the extracted oils by removing potentially harmful waxes, transforming it into a pure isolate.

Typical winterization:Use 10 Liters of ethanol for every Liter of crude extract. Get as close to the freezing point of pure ethanol (-76 C) as possible. Use chillers, walk in freezers, chest freezers, dry ice, etc.24 hours or more is a normal time to wait for waxes to precipitate out.

To see if any waxes remain in the filtered solution, place a small sample (several mL) back in the freezer for a day. If the solution appears cloudy when checked, further winterization may be needed.

Hydrocarbon extraction typically refers to using butane or propane as a solvent that’s passed through the raw cannabis matter to collect cannabinoids and terpenes.

The solvent with the cannabis oils is then heated up to evaporate off the butane or propane, leaving behind the extract.

HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION

Hydrocarbon compounds are highly flammable: but they are efficient cannabinoid extractors. In practice; only propane and butane are used.

Why these? They work efficiently, and evaporate very quickly, making recovery of the dissolved cannabinoids easy. They also leave the colored pigments and chlorophyll behind.

The properties of hydrocarbons that are ideal for cannabis extraction (high volatility, low viscosity) make them extremely dangerous. All hydrocarbons can form explosive mixtures (Butane will explode at concentrations between 2% and 8% in air).

There is no way to make these hazardous compounds safe, thus extensive engineering controls MUST be employed to avoid disaster. Even then, operator error, or inadequate SOPs can lead to hazardous conditions.

PX40 (Butane) $189,000

Io Extractor (Butane) $225,000

Ablaze Mini (Butane) $510

REFINEMENT FROM HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION

Centrifugal terpene removal: The process of separating terpenes from a primary extract using a centrifuge device.

Winterization: The process of removing plant lipids from a primary hydrocarbon extract via a secondary solvent, freezing, and filtration.

Decolorization/Carbon Scrubbing: The process of removing the dark color and undesirable components of a primary extract via various filtration media.

Dewax: The process of reducing and removing plant lipids via low-temperature single solvent isolation and filtration.

SOME TYPES OF FINISHED PRODUCT

REFINEMENT FROM HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION

Vacuum Purge: The process of removing residual solvents via a low-pressure low heat oven cycling.

Decarboxylation: The process of removing the carbolic acid group from primary cannabinoids via heat.

Co-solvent separation: The process of isolating one or more cannabinoids via matching various solvents to cannabinoid polarity.

Co-solvent crystallization: The process of isolating cannabinoids via crystallization by matching various solvents to cannabinoid polarity.

COMPLICATED PROCESSES:

Require the best sources of code in dealing with the actual operations and processes within a facility.

IFC Chapter 39: Processing and Extraction Facilities

NFPA 1, Chapter 38: Marijuana Growing, Processing, or Extraction Facilities

HEIGHTENED SECURITY MEASURES

Perimeter Fencing

Vehicular Drives/Approaches

Fire Lanes

Parking Lot Layouts & Islands

Parking Lot Lighting

Loading Docks

Site/Exterior Building Lighting

Sidewalks - Pedestrian approaches

Exterior Doors and Glazing

Landscaping

Bollards, Barriers, Level Changes, Walls

Exterior Cameras

Call Boxes

Facility Hardening

SECOND HASH OIL EXTRACTION LABORATORY EXPLOSION IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WITHIN TWO WEEK PERIOD 17 MAY 2019

https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2019/05/17/second-hash-oil-extraction-laboratory-explosion-san-diego-county-within

MARIJUANA INDUSTRY HAZARDS

CO2 and CO Pesticides Indoor air quality Compressed gases Electrical and lighting Extraction equipment Disinfectants and Cleaning Chemicals Nutrients and Corrosive Chemicals Ergonomics

Flammable/Combustible Liquids Occupational Injuries Workplace Violence Walking/Working Surfaces Working at Heights Noise Emergencies Powered Industrial Trucks Machines and Hand Tools Confined Spaces

https://www.nesglobal.net/marijuana-industry-hazards/

GUIDE TO WORKER SAFETY AND HEALTH IN THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY

http://marijuanaindustrygroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Guide-to-Worker-Safety-and-Health-in-the-Marijuana-Industry_-FULL-REPORT-1.pdf

NES (environmental health & safety training company)

summary of this report was “…that quite often little to no concern was given to proper training for employees regarding hazards inherent to the industry.”

TOP 5 HAZARDS TO EMPLOYEES/OPERATORS

Fire / Explosion Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) monitor

Fixed location and Handheld detector

CO2 Exposure Emergency relief valves piped to exterior CO2 concentration monitor(s) Proper Ventilation

Cannabis Dust Use point-source ventilation or N95 respirators

Harmful Vapors Use of Isopropyl Alcohol, Heptane or Ethanol. Use of point-source ventilation or dedicated

ventilation system. OSHA provides limits.

Hearing Loss Operators are often exposed to high levels of

noise. Easy to overlook. Easy to remedy.

As identified by Brian Lukus, P.E. Denver Fire Department

MARIJUANA WASTE STREAM

“TRACK AND TRACE” COMPLIANCE MEASURES

Plant waste must be rendered unusable by grinding and incorporating it with other ground materials.

The resulting mixture must be at least 51% non-marijuana waste by volume.

Failure to meet marijuana waste disposal requirements can lead to fines or cancellation of license.

RESOURCES: Handouts:

Generic Inspection Form for Marijuana Facilities

Relevant 2018 IFC Code references spreadsheet

NFPA 1: Chapter 38* Marijuana Growing, Processing, and Extraction Facilities

NFPA 1: Chapter 38 Annex A

List of marijuana grow facilities licensed by the Utah Department of Agriculture (8 businesses)

Slide show presentation note pages

* SB 1002, 1st Substitute Medical Cannabis Amendments (lines 971-974) passed the Utah State legislature on 16 September 2019 and signed into law by the Governor on 23 September 2019.

UTAH MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM

https://medicalcannabis.utah.govMedical Cannabis Fact SheetFrequently Asked QuestionsMedical Cannabis Fee ScheduleResources

Patients, Providers,Production, Pharmacies

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?